NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

• What is Naturopathic Medicine?
• What to Expect?
• What can it help?
• What does a naturopathic treatment include?
• Naturopathic lab Tests
• Specialized Treatment Programs

What Is Naturopathic Medicine?

Naturopathic Doctors are the general practitioners of the complimentary health field.  Naturopathic Doctors are educated for 8 years at the post-secondary level prior to obtaining a license to practice in Ontario.  All Naturopathic Doctors in Ontario must have a license to practice and have been regulated under the Drugless Practitioners Act since 1926.  Naturopathic Medicine is an umbrella term for a number of different therapies and approaches including acupuncture, botanical medicine, therapeutic dietary modification and supplementation, homeopathy, naturopathic bodywork, and lifestyle counseling.  Naturopathic Medicine was founded on the following principles;

1.      Do No Harm

2.      Treat the Cause

3.      Treat the Whole Person

4.      The Healing Power of Nature

5.      Doctor as Teacher

6.      Medical Confidentiality

What to expect

“I believe that one’s body has its own ability to heal itself.  I treat the cause of the disease rather than chasing symptoms.  This includes a whole body approach to your assessment.  What is happening for you mentally, emotionally and spiritually is as important as what is happening physically.  The body is the physical record of the other levels.  Everything is connected.  You can expect from me a personalized, in depth assessment of your health and history.” –Mary-Ellen Kelly

Initial visit

The first visit is 1 hour long.  A thorough health history is taken as well as a detailed intake of current symptoms.  A basic physical exam is performed to assess nutritional deficiencies and any organ imbalances that may be present.  Blood pressure, Chinese pulses, tongue diagnosis, iris exam, adrenal evaluation and a nutritional physical are a part of the physical exam.  At the end of the first visit the doctor will give you her observation of what may be causing your condition and recommend lab work if required.

2^nd visit

The second visit is approximately 45 minutes and occurs 1 week after the initial visit.  You will be given a report of findings and any lab work needed will be conducted during this visit.  The lab results will be reviewed with you so that you understand what is behind the disease process.  When you are making the suggested changes it will be easier to adhere to the program when you understand why you are doing it.  In this visit a prescribed protocol will be recommended to you which may include the following; dietary recommendations, vitamin and mineral supplementation,  detoxification protocols, acupuncture, homeopathic or botanical medicines, lifestyle changes.

Follow-up visits

These visits are approximately 30 minutes in length.  Generally follow up appointments are at 1-month intervals, however, this may vary depending on the therapeutic protocol being followed. 

“My philosophy is that if I am seeing you regularly, I am not doing my job.  My goal is to provide you with the tools to understand what your triggers are and what you can do when they arise.  Ultimately you are your own best doctor.  I am here as a guide and coach.” –Mary-Ellen Kelly

COMMON CONCERNS TREATED IN NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE

Treatments

The treatment of Naturopathic Medicine is unique to each individual according to the history, physical findings and laboratory results. The treatment may include, Acupuncture

Botanical Medicine, Homeopathy, Nutritional evaluation and counseling, Detoxification protocols, Therapeutic supplementation and Lifestyle Counseling

Naturopathic lab Tests

Blood Analysis

A single drop of blood is taken from the fingertip and viewed under a specialized microscope. Using darkfield microscopy, light is refracted tangentially and allows the visualization of small particles and microorganisms which are essential to determine the overall body burden and state of health. The microscope is connected to a monitor and can be viewed by the patient.

A live blood cell analysis is an excellent predictor of health and also serves as a valuable early detection test to give patients an opportunity to make changes before symptoms occur. Evaluation includes the following:

• Vitamin B 12 deficiency

• Anemic tendencies

• Platelet aggregation and cardiovascular health

• Essential Fatty Acid deficiency

• Inflammatory markers

• Chylous clearing and liver function

• Microorganism imbalance – including yeast and parasitic burdens

• Immune function

• Calcium and mineral deficiencies

• Allergic tendency

• Digestive enzyme deficiency

• pH imbalances

Urinalysis
A first morning urine sample is analyzed and four different tests are completed;

• Indican – Bowel toxicity test

• Koenisburg – Adrenal function test

• Sulkowitch – Measures calcium loss through kidneys. Excellent test for osteoporosis prevention

• Dipstick – Checks pH, urinary tract infection

Hair Analysis
A sample of hair (head or pubic) is taken and sent to an external lab for analysis. A provocation element (i.e. zinc or selenium) will be prescribed to you prior to taking the sample. This is an effective test for heavy metal toxicity. If you have been exposed to mercury (amalgam fillings, flu shot, large ocean fish), aluminum (deodorants, antacids), lead (environment, paints), cadmium (cigarette smoke) etc., a hair analysis will indicate the level of accumulation and will monitor the elimination of such chemicals as they are being chelated or eliminated.

Blood Typing
An extensive body of evidence supports the idea that different blood types are amenable to different diets. For example, Type O blood types are ideally suited to a more carnivorous diet whereas Type A blood types are generally healthier when following a vegetarian based diet. If you do not know your blood type, a finger tip sample of blood can be taken to determine your blood type within minutes.

Zinc absorption test
This simple 30-second test will reveal a zinc deficiency. Zinc is important for immune function, hydrochloric acid production and prostate function in men.

Vega Testing

The Vega Test is a screening device used to evaluate imbalances before they manifest physically. Food sensitivities can be assessed as well as organ imbalances, environmental sensitivities, vitamin, mineral deficiencies, hormone imbalances, and dental issues. There is also an energy screen test which conducts a quadrant by quadrant analysis of the body to determine blockages and area of concern.

During the test, the patient is reclined and an acupuncture point on the toe is used to measure response to a variety of substances. No needles are used. The test varies in length from 30 minutes for a food sensitivity screen to 90 minutes for a full analysis.
 

Specialized Treatment Programs

Healthy Weight Management Program: Maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge in a fast food, fast-paced, sedentary environment.  The Healthy Weight Management Program will focus on lifestyle changes to maximize metabolism and minimize your body’s inclination to store fat.  It is important to rule out such things as hypothyroidism, malabsorption and food sensitivities all of which can contribute to weight gain.  There are no “natural pills” to help you burn fat.  You are the magic bullet.  It is a matter of making consistent diet and lifestyle changes.  It’s all in you!

Weight gain has become a concern for more and more people – so you are not alone if you are in this category.   After assessing and addressing metabolic deficiencies I recommend one of several healthy and sane weight loss programs tailored to each individual.  The results are encouraging.  Combined with regular exercise, the programs produce safe and consistent weight loss.   

Further, it is important to consider whether you are carrying excess “weight” psychologically.  Weight loss is a lightening up process physically, and also mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Letting go of physical weight can also mean letting go of issues that may have caused the weight gain in the first place.  Such things will be discussed as a part of the program.

The Detox:  This is a two-week detoxification program focused on liver detoxification.  The liver is the main route of elimination.  However, there are four other routes of elimination in the body; the bowels, the skin, the lungs, and the kidneys.  The program is designed to maximize the ability of the liver to eliminate toxins.  The other detoxification organs are also supported.  It is a straight-forward program that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.  One cannot live in a bubble to avoid toxins in the environment but you can support your body’s biochemical processes to efficiently eliminate toxins.  Give your body a spring cleaning at any time of the year!

Butt Out Naturally:  This is a smoking cessation program using acupuncture and botanical medicine to reduce cigarette cravings and withdrawal symptoms to ease your transition into being a non-smoker.  It is very effective without the side effects of other medications.  The acupuncture treatments begin the week prior to the last cigarette.  Two treatments per week for the first two weeks are given and then weekly thereafter for approximately 2-3 weeks depending on the level of addiction.  Disposable, sterilized needles are inserted at acupuncture points while the patient is lying down.  The needles are in for 15-20 minutes and the treatments are relaxing.  Metabolic points can be used in conjunction with the treatments to avoid excess weight gain.

Read My Lipids:  This program focuses on healthy blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL) and cardiovascular disease prevention.  I will work directly with your medical doctor to recommend that you have the appropriate tests to identify cardiovascular disease.  For example, research shows that homocysteine and C-reactive protein tests are equally as predictive as cholesterol in predicting coronary disease.  Yet medical doctors do not, as yet, routinely use these tests.  If your cholesterol is elevated, there are a number of safe and effective naturopathic treatments available for lowering cholesterol and maintaining healthy blood lipids.

Corporate Lunch n’ Learns: Would you like to have a talk on naturopathic medicine in your workplace?  Topics range from Natural Hormone Replacement Therapy to Boosting the Immune System to Natural Approaches to Prostate Health to Detoxification.